Central Park At Night(the thing you aren't
supposed to do)with
Mark Allen and Trucker JohnNew York City's
Central Park after dark is a very bizarre, dream like experience. It's
an interesting combination of fear/exhileration and calm that is hard to
describe. On 6/16/01, after a Macaulay Culkin play and some uptown sushi,
my friend Trucker John and I ventured into the black, sparkly night-time
park. "Tourist Lore" tells us that we aren't supposed to enter the park
after dark because of crime. Yes this can be true ... but most of
it is exagerated. The real amazing truth known by those that actually LIVE
in the place that everyone dreams of visiting "one day" always makes "Tourist
Lore" look like the joke it is. I have been in the park after dark
with friends before on bicycle - the best way to do it. This was the first
time I ever did it on foot. Officially you can get a ticket for being in
the park after midnight - but I find this is enforced sporadically - if
at all. The park at night, all lit up, creates this very serene, cool,
mind-cleansing atmosphere. The lights are all on, the fountains are all
running, the playgrounds and immense open areas are all working - but NO
ONE is around! It's like you're the last person on earth. If you've been
to Central Park you know how immense it is. Well - at night - with the
glowing city buildings far off in the distance - it's size seems limitless.
Like an alien landscape. The energy created by the park at night is truly
unique and I do recommend it - with some caution. Don't go alone, and go
on bike preferably. You won't forget it.

Many of these photos
are a little blurry because my new digital camera uses a longer, auto-exposure
to catch low-light situations and I did my best to hold the camera steady.
Or maybe I was just shaking with exciting fear.Me on a fire
hydrant on edge of Sheep's Meadow.